Gatwick Greenspace Partnership - GGP is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking decades of collaboration with London Gatwick and local communities to enhance and protect the natural environment across Surrey and Sussex.
Colleagues, volunteers and partners recently gathered at Tilgate Park in Crawley to celebrate the anniversary. Speeches were made by Sam Fulton, Director of Communications and External Affairs at London Gatwick, Pete Crawford, Parks and Countryside Manager at Horsham District Council, Mike George, Chair of GGP Steering Group and Horley Town Councillor, and Nikki Hills, Director of Communities at the Sussex Wildlife Trust.
Since 1994, GGP has promoted biodiversity and environmental education through its many conservation programmes, managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust.
With help from London Gatwick funding, Gatwick Greenspace Partnership (GGP) has engaged thousands of volunteers, local schools, and community groups in biodiversity enhancement activities.
With help from London Gatwick funding, Gatwick Greenspace Partnership (GGP) has engaged thousands of volunteers, local schools, and community groups in biodiversity enhancement activities.
Supported by London Gatwick, which funds a full-time role dedicated to coordinating volunteer and educational activities within the airport grounds and surrounding areas, GGP has engaged thousands of volunteers, local schools, and community groups.
Colleagues from across the airport have also participated in GGP’s volunteering initiatives, contributing their time and skills to projects such as installing dormouse boxes, constructing sustainable pathways, and removing litter. Their involvement has been vital to GGP’s ongoing success and demonstrates a shared commitment to wildlife conservation and community benefit.
For details of the latest Gatwick Airport Community Trust awards. see below.
For details of the latest Gatwick Airport Community Trust awards. see below.
Nikki Hills, Director of Communities, Sussex Wildlife Trust said: "Reaching our 30th anniversary is a significant achievement, and it wouldn't have been possible without the support of London Gatwick, other funders and our incredible volunteers and community partners.
"We are excited to continue the partnership with London Gatwick to advance our shared goals of community engagement and environmental stewardship."
London Gatwick’s commitment to biodiversity has been recognised through receiving the Wildlife Trusts' Biodiversity Benchmark Award every year since 2014.
Gatwick’s greenspace offers a haven for nature, with the return of nightingales, a species in decline across the UK. After many years without sightings, a Gatwick ecologist heard a nightingale singing. Since then, 'Dave' the nightingale has returned each summer from South Africa, and this year, the first young nightingale was tagged, confirming they are now breeding in the area.
London Gatwick and GGP achieved another success by creating a pond in one of the airport’s biodiversity areas. Following vegetation management around the pond, this year it has become a breeding ground for great crested newt. Recognised by the distinctive orange and black blotches on the male species, great crested newt are under strict protection under British and European law.
Darcey Haldar, Senior Ecologist, London Gatwick said: “London Gatwick's biodiversity efforts wouldn't be possible without the continued collaboration with the Gatwick Greenspace Partnership and the dedication of our Volunteer Reserve Managers, some of whom have been coming here every week for over a decade. They carry out 70% of the habitat management in our biodiversity areas.
"We're incredibly thankful for GGP’s hard work and dedication to protecting and improving the natural environment in our community. We wish them a very happy 30th anniversary and look forward to many more years of working together."
The airport's goal within its sustainability programme - Decade of Change - is to have a sector-leading ‘net gain’ approach to protecting and enhancing biodiversity and habitats on the airport estate, including zero use of herbicides by 2030. London Gatwick is continually looking for opportunities to improve its approach to biodiversity.
A force for good in the local community.
Supporting good causes in Sussex, Surrey and Kent
The Gatwick Airport Community Trust, which is funded exclusively by London Gatwick, has been providing much-needed support for charities and groups for more than two decades and this year has provided essential funding for more than 100 groups.
London Gatwick is also appealing for community groups across the region to apply for financial support from the next round of The London Gatwick Foundation Fund. The deadlines to apply are 6 September in Sussex, 27 September in Kent and 2 September to express in an interest in applying in Surrey.
Melanie Wrightson, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, London Gatwick, said: “The ongoing support offered by the Gatwick Airport Community Trust is yielding tangible benefits for grassroots organisations, charities and voluntary initiatives throughout Kent, Surrey and Sussex, which need financial donations to continue their good work.
“Since its establishment, the Trust has been a pillar of strength for local groups. London Gatwick remains as committed as ever to contributing to the wider community’s welfare."
The Gatwick Airport Community Trust supports a range of initiatives designed to enrich different facets of local communities. These endeavours prioritise nurturing youth development, championing the arts, bolstering sports facilities, fostering environmental improvements, enhancing community infrastructure, advocating for volunteering and offering aid to the elderly and disabled.
Dan Slatter, CEO, FareShare Sussex & Surrey said: “We are really grateful to the Gatwick Airport Community Trust for its recent donation.
“As a charity, we are reliant on funds such as these to be able to continue feeding 16,560 people every week.
“These remain challenging times for so many in our communities around Gatwick. This will enable us to extend our commercial chiller at our Brighton depot, helping us become more efficient with our deliveries and enabling us to meet the increased demand for our services."
Other groups which received funding included Stripey Stork (£5,000), Jigsaw South East (£3,000), Mycarematters 2020 (£2,500), Sal's Shoes (£2,500), The Launchpad Collective (£2,000), Family Support Work (£1,600), Chestnut Tree House (£1,538), Tall Ships Youth Trust (£1,500), Surrey Care Trust (£1,500), St Catherine's Hospice (£1,438), Susy Radio Ltd (£1,260) and Lingfield Marathon Minibus (£750).
The Gatwick Airport Community Trust was originally set up in 2002 as part of the legal arrangements between West Sussex County Council, Crawley Borough Council and London Gatwick following the publication of the airport’s Sustainable Development Strategy.
It aims to make a positive contribution to the quality of life of the communities affected by the airport and its continuing growth.
Applications for the Gatwick Airport Community Trust will reopen again on 1 November 2024 and close on 31 March 2025
For more information about the Gatwick Airport Community Trust and to find out how to apply for the next round, visit: https://gact.org.uk/.
